Bidspirit auction | ”Saint Michael Archangel ”. Carved,

”Saint Michael Archangel ”. Carved, gilded and polychromed wooden sculpture. 18th century Colonial School. Peru. - This magnificent sculpture depicts one of the three archangels, Saint Michael, conqueror of the devil and chief warrior of the angelic host. In accordance with the most typical iconography, which is based on a scene of Apocalypse, he wears a breast plate and is armed with a sword and shield. At his feet, the devil who he defeats is depicted as a grotesque figure. Magnificent sculptural and polychroming work, the posture of the saint, standing only on one leg, which is stepping on the devil, gives movement, elegance and life to the sculpture. Saint Michael wears a short-sleeved tunic over which he wears a breast plate. Under this is a short skirt with painted decoration which, much to the baroque taste, leaves both legs bare. He wears short boots which expose his toes. The interest the sculptor had in studying anatomy can be appreciated, as well as the movement of materials, as these form waves and separate themselves from his body. The sculpture rests on its original polychromed and gilded wooden plinth. Height with plinth: 79 cm.